Jenny-Lyn de Klerk (Ph.D, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) works as an editor at Crossway and has multiple degrees in church history and historical theology, specializing in Puritan spirituality. She has also written articles for Themelios, the Midwestern Journal of Theology, and the Gospel Coalition. She is the author of 5 Puritan Women: Portraits of Faith and Love.
MBTS: What led you to study at Midwestern Seminary, and how did your doctoral program challenge and equip you for life and ministry?
Jenny-Lyn De Klerk: I originally chose Midwestern Seminary because it offered the three things I was
looking for in a doctoral program—a hybrid style program (mix of in-person and remote), a stream in historical theology, and an institutional appreciation for my research interest, the Puritans. I was so happy when my husband found the program because we thought it would be impossible to get all of these in one school! But my time at Midwestern gave me even more than I was expecting. It pushed me to my intellectual limits, opened a gateway to a ton of new friendships, blessed me with a great connection with my professors who were extremely supportive and helped me progress in my career in significant ways, and instilled in me a desire to always use my skills in church history for the Church today. Going to Midwestern truly changed my life for the better!
MBTS: Tell us more about your work with Crossway and how your time at Midwestern Seminary influenced your ministry.
Jenny-Lyn: I work as a book editor at Crossway, which is one of the many blessings that my Midwestern Seminary degree led me to. Putting in the hours to research, write, discuss, and lecture during my doctoral program helped me not only become an expert in church history but also an expert in myself. I realized that while I loved certain aspects of teaching, like seeing students learn new things and hearing their insights, I really hated being the center of attention as the lecturer. I thrived more in behind-the-scenes work like grading papers and editing, helping others refine their ideas, and writing. When I got hired at Crossway I was thrilled because I could now work full-time doing just that! It is truly wonderful waking up each work day and getting to see what comes my way in whatever book I’m working on. I love doing the same tasks in different books because I have a nice routine but am constantly encountering new ideas and solving new problems. I especially love working on reprints and critical editions of historical sources as well as popular-level books that seek to make church history useful for Christians today. The best part of my job is helping authors produce quality material and knowing that all of our hard work together in the editing process is contributing to the goal of people getting to read good books. Books are one of the best things in my life and I’m so glad that I can help others encounter the fun and excitement to be found in the written word! It’s also nice to work for a company that is both upstanding and successful.
MBTS: This edition of the Midwestern Magazine is highlighting the importance of Charles Spurgeon in Christian history. What place does historical theology have in the life of the church and the academy?
Jenny-Lyn: I think I’d rather say that once you start reading figures from church history like Spurgeon, it’s easy to appreciate them—you don’t really have to try—because you are immediately blessed by seeing how God has worked in the life of another person just like He’s working in your life. Of course, you also learn lots about God, the Bible, and theology if you’re reading a good thinker because they have put in the work to deeply consider such topics and are probably known centuries after their death because they had some level of genius in analyzing and communicating that information to others. Learning about church history is absolutely essential to the life of the church today because it is her own history, the story of her own life! And it’s important in the academy because we should leave no stone unturned when trying to understand the world either as it was or as it is now.
MBTS: Spurgeon once said, “By all means read the Puritans, they are worth more than all the modern stuff put together.” With your work in Puritanism, what do you think stands out from the Puritans that can best serve Christians and ministry leaders today?
Jenny-Lyn: My favorite thing about the Puritans is that they bring together their expertise in both Scripture and human nature, so when you read them you are not only getting great theology at a high level that challenges you in your thinking but also great advice for regular life stuff like your relationship with God, your relationships with other people, and your vocation. I don’t think someone would ever regret reading a book by the Puritans! They are excellent commentators on Scripture and good voices to have in your head when making life decisions, trying to grapple with difficult situations, and seeking to enjoy God and His creation to your fullest capacity.
